Ongoza’s Approach to Business Economic Empowerment

Founded in 2008 by Eddy Gicheru Oketch, Ongoza began as a peacebuilding initiative to empower Kenyan youth to create sustainable employment.

Since its inception, the organization has undergone remarkable transformations, but one thing has remained constant: our unwavering commitment to supporting young Kenyan businesses in their journey toward economic empowerment.

We are driven by a deep passion to address the challenges faced by the business community and equip them with the skills, resources and knowledge they need. Through years of experience and dedicated efforts, we have refined our approach to offer tailored support to our business owners, helping them overcome obstacles and achieve sustainable growth. 

Today, we are excited to share our journey and the impact we have made in empowering business owners to not only scale their businesses but also to create job opportunities for the youth in their communities and drive economic growth.

Our Services: Wezesha

Wezesha is designed to empower early-stage businesses and provide them with the necessary tools and resources for success. Specifically tailored for business owners between the ages of 18 and 35, Wezesha is aimed at those who have a validated product or service in the market and have been operating their businesses for 6 to 36 months with post-revenue status.

Through the Wezesha program, business owners gain access to comprehensive cohort-based training that covers essential business topics. This training is carefully curated to address the unique challenges faced by early-stage businesses and equips the owners with the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to navigate the business journey successfully.

To ensure accessibility and flexibility, Wezesha’s training is delivered through a hybrid model, combining both offline and online components. This allows business owners to participate in in-person training sessions while also having the flexibility to access online resources and engage in self-paced learning through our Learning Management System (LMS).

Ongoing Call for Applications: Nairobi & Mombasa Cohorts.

Unlock Your Business’s Potential with Wezesha Business Training Program

As a budding business owner, you understand the importance of building a solid foundation for your business. That’s why we’re thrilled to offer our comprehensive business training program designed to help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed.

Our program covers a broad range of topics to ensure you’re equipped for success, including Entrepreneur Wellness, Lean Model Canvas, Business Compliance, Market Readiness, Financial Management, Digital Inclusion, and Pitch Readiness.

Here’s what you’ll get:

• 7 weeks of in-depth business training
• The flexibility of hybrid learning, the first and last class are in person while the others will be virtual
• Personalized advice and guidance from seasoned entrepreneurs
• An opportunity to pitch your business to a panel of industry experts
• Grant funding of up to Kes 100,000 for marketing, product development, or other business expenses
• 1-on-1 mentorship with our expert growth partners

To qualify, you must meet the following criteria:

• You’re between 18-35 years old
• Your business has a validated product or service in the market
• Your business has been in operation for 6-36 months
• Your business is post-revenue
• You’re located in Nairobi or its environs.

Don’t miss your chance to take your business to the next level. Apply for the Wezesha Business Training program today!

Our Services: Imarisha

Did you know that most business owners don’t realize the true value of having a mentor on their journey to success? We understand that having the right growth partners can make all the difference. 

Imarisha is more than just a service that we offer – it’s a partnership that empowers you as a business owner to overcome challenges, seize opportunities, and achieve sustainable growth. We believe that every business has untapped potential, and our mission is to unlock it through tailored guidance and mentorship.

As a business owner in the Imarisha service, you’ll be assigned a dedicated growth partner who will be by your side throughout your entrepreneurial journey. Together, you’ll conduct a comprehensive needs assessment of your business, identifying the specific challenges, gaps, and opportunities that exist for your business. You’ll work collaboratively to develop customized strategies, optimize your operations, and navigate the complexities of scaling your business.

Our Growth Partners have experienced industry experts who understand the unique business challenges that you go through and can provide invaluable insights and advice.

We take a personalized approach, customizing our support to align with your specific business needs and goals. Whether it’s refining your strategic plan, enhancing your financial management practices, or exploring new marketing strategies, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Imarisha’s Business Clinics: Supporting Business Owners in Scaling their Businesses

We are committed to helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses. Our business clinics provide a unique opportunity for early and growth-stage businesses to connect with key industry players, growth partners, and investors. This year, our focus is on the “Roadmap to Investor Readiness.” We understand the importance of preparing entrepreneurs for pitching and attracting investors, and our clinics are designed to equip them with the knowledge, skills, and insights they need to achieve success.

Our clinics have been a success so far, with three already completed:

• Investor Readiness Clinic, where entrepreneurs learned about the capital raising process, where we covered, knowing your business, developing a solid business plan, building a strong financial model, due diligence and much more
• Go-To-Market (GTM) Clinic, providing valuable insights into developing a compelling go-to-market strategy that resonates with investors.
• Challenging Your Business Plan Clinic, encouraging entrepreneurs to critically examine their current business plans, identify areas for improvement, and ensure maximum revenue potential and investor attractiveness.

Coming soon is our Financial Model Health Check Clinic, which will delve into the financial aspects of businesses. We will ensure that their financial models are robust, accurate, and investor-ready. Join us on this exciting journey to scale your business and achieve success! Click here to stay updated on the details.

Ongoza’s commitment to empowering business owners and driving economic change has yielded remarkable results. Through our comprehensive programs, we have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of tailored support, mentorship, and collaboration, and we remain steadfast in our mission to create sustainable employment opportunities and build a brighter future for businesses and their communities. Get in touch with us to learn more.